Chapter 1 - Hyrule Plain and Kakariko Village
Summary: Having defeated Calamity Ganon, Zelda and Link's first stop is Kakariko Village
It was over, finally over! I had weakened Ganon with the darkness sealing sword and Light Arrows, and Princess Zelda, in some mystical form, had sealed Ganon away, hopefully for many, many years. We stood together now in Hyrule Field as the purple clouds of Ganon's malice vanished everywhere, and a clean blue sky emerged. Anyone with a view of Hyrule Castle could see that Ganon was destroyed. It should have been a moment of joy and triumph. But the cost of our hundred year long delayed victory had been so great in lives lost and lands destroyed that I felt only relief.
Zelda and I were together now for the first time since I collapsed at Ash Swamp over one hundred years ago. She was wearing a simple white dress stained with dirt. It was the same dress she wore to the Spring of Wisdom that fateful day when we stood with the Champions for the very last time, and all our plans went so horribly wrong. After having Purah and Robbie take my body to the Shrine of Resurrection, Zelda had traveled to the Lost Woods and left the sword I now carried with the Deku Tree for safekeeping. Then she had journeyed alone to Hyrule Castle to hold back Ganon for one hundred years until I had recovered well enough to do my part. Now I had fulfilled my role as the hero, and she had finally fulfilled the destiny of her bloodline.
She told me she had watched my journey and congratulated me as the hero. Then she asked if I remembered her. I didn't know what to say. At that point, I remembered her only from flashback memories her Sheikah Slate pictures had triggered during my travels.
We walked together to the Hyrule Castle entrance. She stared at the castle, needing a moment of silence as she no doubt recalled her father who had died there suddenly when Ganon's attack surprised us all. And we both took a moment to remember the brave Champions and the countless others who had lost their lives then too. We walked away and then turned back again as the sun shone over the castle turrets. I think we sensed King Rhoam and the Champions' spirits finally departing this world, their duty done. I sensed a change in me as well then and realized the powers their spirits had bestowed upon me had left me too. I no longer had Mipha's Grace, Urbosa's Fury, Revali's Gale and Daruk's Protection. Finally, Zelda turned away, and I followed her.
"We should visit Impa," said Zelda. "We owe her our deepest thanks. Robbie and Purah too when we get a chance."
We needed to get Zelda a horse, and the nearest stable on the way to Kakariko Village was Wetland Stable.
"Would you mind riding double with me until we get to Wetland Stable?" I said.
"Of course not, Link. Let's go."
I got on my horse first and helped her up behind me. Then she held onto me as we started galloping toward Wetland Stable, which was about halfway to Kakariko Village. It felt odd to be riding with Princess Zelda. I remembered her, of course, from the flashback memories. But I was not at ease with her yet. She was like someone in a story, not a flesh and blood person to me yet. It would take some time to establish the rapport we must have had with each other long ago.
"Are you still comfortable on a horse?" I asked as we rode.
"Yes, I am fine," said Zelda. "My mind and body haven't changed."
She paused for a moment.
"But you, Link, you have changed," said Zelda. "You look stronger now. And as I watched your battle with Calamity Ganon I thought your swordsmanship was beyond compare."
"It has been a long road getting to that point," I said. "You said you followed my progress, so you know that. But I am so happy you are here with me now. Since I awoke from the shrine, my life has been a sad and lonely one. And the more I learned about my past, the sadder it got. But being back together with you feels right. I wish I could remember all we did together, but I know enough to know I missed your company. And I believe at the end you considered me more than just a knight companion, but a friend."
"Yes, Link, I did consider you more than a knight companion, more than even a friend," said Zelda. "I ... well, perhaps we can speak further another time when we are not riding the same horse together."
When we arrived, people at the stable were excited, pointing at the castle in the distance and discussing what it must mean. We dismounted, and I inquired about a horse, preferably a white one, which I knew from flashback memories she liked. We were in luck, as a white horse with good stamina was available, and they fitted it for riding. Zelda started petting and soothing her horse while I finished the transaction with the stable owner, Lawdon.
"Who's the lady?" asked Lawdon. "She doesn't exactly look dressed for riding."
"Yes, I know," I said. "She's the Princess of Hyrule, and she just emerged from a hundred-year battle."
Lawdon laughed.
"Very funny," he said. "And you're a prince no doubt. Take your horse and be off before I change my mind."
We did as he suggested. We rode together along the road, and Zelda surveyed the countryside. We did not encounter any monsters. And Guardians had all ceased working as Ganon's malice that was driving them had vanished along with Ganon itself. Our next stop was Kakariko Village to pay Impa a visit and to get more suitable travel clothes for the princess.
Her horse was well behaved and we were galloping together at a good pace.
"It feels good to be riding again," said Zelda. "But it is sad to see everywhere all the destruction Ganon caused."
We made good time and rode together into Kakariko Village. As we rode through the largely Sheikah village, I think it surprised Zelda that no one recognized her. She needed to realize she was a historical figure now, believed to have perished in the Calamity. No one but a few in the know expected her to be alive. When we arrived at Impa's house, we were admitted by the guards who recognized me and realized who my companion was when I informed them. Both guards immediately dropped to one knee and bowed their heads. Zelda rushed into the house.
"Impa!" said Zelda. "Thank you! Thank you so much for all you've done. We could not have prevailed without your help."
"Your Highness, it is so good to finally see you again! Please forgive me if I do not rise to greet you properly," said Impa. "But old age is catching up with me. Yes, we have the victory at last, though much has been lost along the way as you well know. Princess, you have not met my granddaughter Paya who lives with me here."
"Y.. Y..Your Highness," said Paya bowing, turning red, and stuttering nervously. "It it it is an honor to meet you. Grandmother often sp sp spoke of you."
"Hello, Paya," said Zelda. "Thank you for your years of prayers which I know the Goddess heard and answered."
Paya blushed some more but beamed with pleasure that someone so important had valued her prayers, the only thing she felt she could do for us. Impa noticed the state of Zelda's clothing and it reminded her of something.
"Your Highness, I have been waiting to return something to you for a long, long time," said Impa. "It was found upon your horse and left with me. Paya, please fetch the bundle from upstairs."
Paya retrieved the bundle and presented it to Zelda. It contained her Champion tunic and traveling outfit, as well as a warmer outfit for the colder areas of Hyrule and some formal attire she wore when visiting dignitaries.
"Thank you! It will feel good to change out of these clothes," said Zelda. She used Paya's room to change and returned a few minutes later wearing her Champion tunic and the travel outfit I remembered so well from flashbacks.
"Link, perhaps you could return my Sheikah Slate now, "said Zelda. I handed it to her, and she attached it to her belt.
"I think you will find it slightly improved thanks to Doctor Purah," I said.
"Princess," said Impa. "Hyrule Castle is unlivable now, and you will need a place to stay while it is restored. Please allow us to make space for you here until you are ready to relocate to better quarters."
"That's very kind of you, Impa," said Zelda. "I would like that, but not until you have a chance to make room for me. For now, Link and I will stay at the inn."
So, she and I went to the inn and rented beds. She was still unrecognized, and we were both exhausted. I at least fell asleep almost at once. Next morning, after briefly stopping to say goodbye to Impa and Paya, we left Kakariko Village along the west road, and when we were outside the village, Zelda paused to take in the view.
It was a magnificent vantage point. The castle and surrounding area lay before us. In the distance, one could see Vah Naboris on the left and Vah Ruta on the right, both quiet now. And that horrible purple malice was no longer anywhere in sight. But the destruction Ganon and his servants had wrought over the past one hundred years was very evident. The rebuilding of Hyrule would be a significant effort.
Zelda consulted her Sheikah Slate and noted that Vah Ruta was no longer working. We should go to Zora's Domain to investigate, she said. And then she paused, remembering Mipha and Mipha's father. We owed him some closure, she said. As she surveyed the desolation, she said she believed if everyone worked together we could make Hyrule great again. But that it all needed to start with us.
We started walking to our horses when Zelda stopped suddenly and turned around. She told me she no longer felt her power. I guessed it had served its purpose and would no longer be needed now. Someday the darkness sealing sword I carried would need to be returned to its resting place for another generation of hero. But for now, the sword was still useful. Guardians lay dormant, but monsters still existed. We hoped Blood Moons would no longer revive them, so once destroyed they would stay that way. We finished walking to our horses and headed to Zora's Domain.